Letter from M. S. Sherwood to His Nephew Benjamin S. Hedrick, August 20, 1856:
Electronic Edition. Sherwood, M. S.Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the
electronic publication of this title.Text transcribed byBari HelmsImages scanned byBari HelmsText encoded byBrian DietzFirst Edition, 2005ca. 11KThe University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina2005

I rec'd a letter from you under date of 12th inst., which commences by condoling me, rather after
the manner of Job's particular friends, upon my defeat as a candidate for the Legislature. Had your letter stopped at that, I should probably have tossed it
in the fire, and thought no more about it. My being beaten has caused no tears from me. I am well
satisfied with the result. I am fully convinced that an election would have been unfortunate to me
in a pecuniary point of view. I felt this very sensibly before the canvass was half over. I soon
found it impossible to secure the services of any one to attend to the Patriot office just right in
my absence. Here I might stop. But I feel impelled, by my wish for your wellfare and prosperity, to
add a few words more.

It is with extreme regret, that I learn that you have turned publicpolitian. The Faculty at the University, in my humble judgment, should have nothing to do with party
politics, farther than to cast their individual votes as "seemeth good in their own
eyes." For them to make themselves partizans in elections, State or National, will
inevitably createdifficulty, strife, and embarrassment. This will be the effect of such a course, without
reference to what party such partizan efforts are made for. This is my well-settled judgment on the
general subject.

But what has given me most pain, is to learn that you have taken public ground for Fremont. This, as an individual, you had a right to do. But would it not be much
better, if you could not consistently vote for Buchanan or Fillmore, just to let the matter alone? You are a member of the Faculty of a
Southern State Institution, patronized almost entirely by the South. And if there is any possible good to accrue to you personally, or to
your country, by your rendering yourself obnoxious to the Trustees and Pupils of the Institution, I cannot see it.

I have no disposition to argue for or against your position in politics. I leave that out of the
question. But as one that wishes you well, I ask you most affectionately, to drop the subject. I
fear you have already gone too far for your own good. I would like to write much more; but it is
growing late at night. I will conclude by giving you my opinion of the effect of your advocating the
cause of Fremont. You will soon becomeobnoxious to the whole Southern Students; your intercourse with them will be unpleasant;
the Trustees will look upon you with a suspicious eye; and your situation
at the Hill will soon become precarious. All this, too, without you or any body else
being benefited by your turning politician.

You may think it strange that one whose daily business is to preach politics, should advise as I
do. In my position, every one expects me to be, to some extent, a partizan. In your position, the
community looks for you to dabble but little in party politics. When I get to be a Minister or a
Teacher in a high Literary Institution, I shall most assuredly feel it my duty to lay aside the
character of a politician.

We are all well. Your sisters, Martha and Sarah, are here going to Edgeworth. The health of the place good.